Source Wood Floors FAQ: About our products

FAQs concerning our products.

Can you use the Osmo white foundation on its own for limed washed effect or do you need to follow up with one of the colours?

Yes, although you would need to finish with an Osmo Polyx Oil clear on top for protection.Also, the white foundation keeps the wood close to its original colour with only a slight whitening of the floorboard. Therefore you may wish to try Osmo white 3111 as well (available in sample pots) before making a decision.

Could you please advise whether Osmo Polyx Matt oil finish is a suitable application for a newly made external oak door and frame?

Sorry, it is not suitable because it contains wax and so may flake in the sunlight - but Osmo does a Wood Stain & Protector which is oil only based and is designed for this use. Alternatively consider the Timberex Timberguard product with UV protection.

Could you please tell me if your exterior wood oil/sealer is good for hard wood garden furniture and will it prevent cracking?

We would recommend either Timberguard by Timberex, or Osmo Exterior Wood Oil, or Osmo Wood Stain and protector - so long as it is not being used on a table top.

Do you supply samples of your wood flooring products?

Yes - free samples are delivered direct to your home.

How wide can you go with a solid oak flooring plank?

We don't like to go wider than around 150mm because above this width there is a risk of cupping and curling across the boards.For really wide boards we recommend a solidengineered board with 15mm multiply with a 6mm single plank top layer - these boards have excellent dimensional stability.

I am interested in purchasing Sika T54 adhesive for a solid wood floor onto concrete. The house is a new build with DPM throughout. Do I need a further DPM before I apply this adhesive?

Sika T54 is designed for exactly this purpose and the MB Primer is not absolutely necessary apart from peace of mind - so long as the moisture content of the concrete is less than 5%. The best solution is to get hold of a good moisture meter and test the concrete - this is particularly relevant with new builds as new concrete screeds can take about 90 days to dry out.

I am interested in the Osmo Polyx Oil Rapid. What is the minimum wait between applying coats? How long until the floor can be walked on/is resistant to water etc..?

The rapid version contains extra driers and will take about four to five hours to dry between coats. Always apply a thin coat as a thick coat could mean it sitting on the surface and not drying properly. With the last coat applied, it is best to leave to dry overnight. The floor can be walked on - but treat it with kids gloves for the first week to 10 days as it needs this length of time to fully 'cure', to go really hard. Until then it is not completely durable so avoid moving heavy furniture and, if possible, do not vacuum and avoid shoes.

I have a solid oak kitchen floor which was coated with Ronseal Diamond seal, which appears to have worn away. I would like to apply an oil finish - is this possible?

First sand off the lacquer back to the bare wood and final sand to 120 to 150 grit and finish in an Osmo hardwax oil. If in any doubt test a small area first in a corner or cupboard area.

I have recently laid a new solid oak floor in my house - which oil/varnish would you would recommend? I'm looking to achieve a natural, satin finish.

We would recommend a hard wax oil finish such as Osmo Polyx Oil. This will be durable and practical and unlike a varnish will give you a very natural looking finish.

Please advise the best way of fixing engineered wood flooring planks to a new floor construction with underfloor heating?

Assuming this is a wet pipe system embedded in a concrete screed, the best method would be to use a Sikabond T54 adhesive in a full contact installation where the adhesive is spread directly onto the concrete with a knotched trowel. Be aware though that, depending on site conditions and thickness of the screed, it can take up to three months (typically) for the moisture level in the screed to fall to the required 4% or less before installation can take place.The Sika MB Primer product can be used to bring this period of time down to one and a half months. Also, follow the underfloor heating manufacturer's commissioning instructions to the letter - normally the heating system temperature must be raised slowly over a period of time.

Which of your products would you advise for applying to interior stripped pine doors?

We would recommend a hard wax oil finish such as Osmo Polyx Oil in either a Matt or Satin finish.Sometimes new pine can get a yellowish effect with a clear oil or varnish, in which case you may wish to use one of the Osmo wood wax stains first and then finish with the clear on top.